Honey Chipotle Chicken Mac n Cheese
Get ready to elevate your mac and cheese game with this Honey Chipotle Chicken Mac n Cheese! Picture creamy, dreamy cheese mingling with tender chicken, a kick of smoky chipotle, and a hint of sweetness from honey—all packed with a whopping 60g of protein. This dish is a flavor explosion that will leave you craving every last bite!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
5
people
Level
intermediate
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1100 g boneless chicken thighs
- 300 ml fat-free evaporated milk
- 1 bunch fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) ground meatd garlic
- 180 g light cream cheese
- 100 g low-fat cheddar
- 260 g uncooked macaroni
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- 100 g chipotle hot sauce
- 100 g cholula chipotle hot sauce
- cumin (to taste)
- garlic powder (to taste)
- honey (to taste)
- light butter (to taste)
- onion powder (to taste)
- oregano (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
- smoked paprika (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Slice chicken thighs into cubes, season with salt, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and olive oil. Mix well and let marinate for a few minutes.
- 2
Boil a pot of water, add uncooked macaroni, boil for 8 minutes, then drain water and set aside.
- 3
In a pan on medium heat, melt 40g of butter. Cook marinated chicken for 5 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.
- 4
Lower the heat, add 20g of butter, minced garlic, honey, chipotle hot sauce, and parsley. Mix well until fully coated, then set aside.
- 5
In the same pan on low heat, add spices and toast for 30 seconds. Then add milk, chipotle hot sauce, and cream cheese. Stir until all is melted and smooth, then add cheddar cheese.
- 6
Stir until creamy and cheesy, then add macaroni with parsley and mix until fully combined and silky smooth.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cook chicken thighs to internal temperature of 175°F instead of 165°F because the higher collagen content needs extra heat to break down into gelatin for maximum tenderness.technique175°F internal temp
- ✓Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining because the starches act as natural emulsifiers to bind the cheese sauce and prevent breaking.technique1 cup pasta water
- ✓Heat honey to 140°F before adding to the pan because warm honey incorporates 3x faster and prevents temperature shock that could seize the sauce.ingredient140°F honey temp
- ✓Toast spices for exactly 30-45 seconds until fragrant because longer toasting creates bitter compounds while shorter time doesn't release essential oils.timing30-45 seconds
- ✓Add cheese off heat and whisk vigorously because temperatures above 180°F cause proteins to coagulate and create grainy texture instead of smooth sauce.techniqueBelow 180°F
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
5
people
Level
intermediate
Share this recipe
Honey Chipotle Chicken Mac n Cheese
Get ready to elevate your mac and cheese game with this Honey Chipotle Chicken Mac n Cheese! Picture creamy, dreamy cheese mingling with tender chicken, a kick of smoky chipotle, and a hint of sweetness from honey—all packed with a whopping 60g of protein. This dish is a flavor explosion that will leave you craving every last bite!
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1100 g boneless chicken thighs
- 300 ml fat-free evaporated milk
- 1 bunch fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) ground meatd garlic
- 180 g light cream cheese
- 100 g low-fat cheddar
- 260 g uncooked macaroni
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- 100 g chipotle hot sauce
- 100 g cholula chipotle hot sauce
- cumin (to taste)
- garlic powder (to taste)
- honey (to taste)
- light butter (to taste)
- onion powder (to taste)
- oregano (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
- smoked paprika (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Slice chicken thighs into cubes, season with salt, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and olive oil. Mix well and let marinate for a few minutes.
- 2
Boil a pot of water, add uncooked macaroni, boil for 8 minutes, then drain water and set aside.
- 3
In a pan on medium heat, melt 40g of butter. Cook marinated chicken for 5 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.
- 4
Lower the heat, add 20g of butter, minced garlic, honey, chipotle hot sauce, and parsley. Mix well until fully coated, then set aside.
- 5
In the same pan on low heat, add spices and toast for 30 seconds. Then add milk, chipotle hot sauce, and cream cheese. Stir until all is melted and smooth, then add cheddar cheese.
- 6
Stir until creamy and cheesy, then add macaroni with parsley and mix until fully combined and silky smooth.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cook chicken thighs to internal temperature of 175°F instead of 165°F because the higher collagen content needs extra heat to break down into gelatin for maximum tenderness.technique175°F internal temp
- ✓Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining because the starches act as natural emulsifiers to bind the cheese sauce and prevent breaking.technique1 cup pasta water
- ✓Heat honey to 140°F before adding to the pan because warm honey incorporates 3x faster and prevents temperature shock that could seize the sauce.ingredient140°F honey temp
- ✓Toast spices for exactly 30-45 seconds until fragrant because longer toasting creates bitter compounds while shorter time doesn't release essential oils.timing30-45 seconds
- ✓Add cheese off heat and whisk vigorously because temperatures above 180°F cause proteins to coagulate and create grainy texture instead of smooth sauce.techniqueBelow 180°F